Ciao! It's been a while. I took a break from this story to kinda gather my thoughts and revise this chapter. It's still not the best. But it's better than it was before. For now, I'm going to leave it be, but further revisions are most likely going to be made. I'm still not fully satisfied with this chapter, but it is an improvement, not to mention much longer than the last.
Lucy conversed with the guild all evening. It was so strange to her, having so many people to talk to. At first, it was really difficult. She felt so out of place with the group of close friends. But Fairy Tail wasn't very merciful when it came to her shyness. They made sure to include her in every conversation, which Lucy was thankful for in the end. The awkwardness pretty much went away and she felt was having a genuinely good time with them. That's something Lucy never thought she would experience, but there she was, with a group of wonderful, slightly crazy, bubbly people.
They even opened up to her. The members of Fairy Tail willingly recalled their past. They seemed of something out of a story. They were so unafraid to share with her, practically a stranger, their past. It was something so personal like they were giving her a piece of themselves. They treated her like she's known them forever rather than a few hours. She found herself feeling at home in the eccentric group. Despite the bad things in their past, they still had this sparkle in their eyes that gave Lucy hope that maybe she could become the same way. Friendship, strength, and hope radiated off of them.
Lucy felt terrible she couldn't tell them the truth. That she couldn't even give a last name. They were willing to share so much and she gave them nothing. Nevertheless, she was glad that they didn't pry. Then she realized they probably could understand how she was feeling to some extent. They'd understand if things were hard to talk about at the moment. They'd give her time and be patient. She was grateful to them. They'd done so much for her, yet seemingly so little. And she thought that maybe she'd be able to find a home in Fairy Tail.
Lucy sat with the guild members around a large fire. She sat on a bad pad with Natsu; her knees were bent and her arms folded over them. Her head rested comfortably on her arms while her face was warmed by the brilliant fire. Lucy attentively listened to the Guild's stories.
The pink headed young adult Lucy had come to know as Natsu Dragneel happily volunteered to tell his story first. He described his foster father with so much enthusiasm and pride it made Lucy beam herself. She watched in amusement at the way his eyes lit up so much his eyes balls were practically protruding out of his head. She found herself smiling every time the corners of his lips turned upward and he gave a signature toothy grin that exposed his sharp canines. Lucy admired the way his emotions bled onto his face so effortlessly.
"My dad, Igneel, adopted me when I was really little. We lived together in the woods. He was an amazing solo adventurer and as fierce as a dragon. He had giant muscles and coal black eyes and deep crimson hair and pointy teeth…" Natsu pranced around the camp pretending to be a dragon like a little kid. He bared his teeth theatrically and let out a robust roar that was terribly convincing. Lucy laughed and laughed at his theatrics. She was just about the only one to, but she didn't care. Lucy didn't think she'd laughed so much in her life.
"Alright dragon-boy, that's enough of your eccentrics," Laxus cut him off, but he couldn't hide the amusement in his voice. "Chill out and take a seat." Natsu stopped mid-prance and gave Laxus an exaggerated pout. Laxus merely rolled his eyes in return. Natsu plopped back down next to Lucy and wrapped his strong arm around her in a congenial manner.
"Always gotta ruin the fun. I was just making sure Lucy could imagine it." Natsu explained. Lucy laughed and nodded.
"I can imagine it perfectly," Lucy assured. She felt very hot with Natsu's arm around her. Though, it wasn't uncomfortable.
Natsu grinned brightly once more. His teeth almost outshining the starry sky. His arm fell away from her and Lucy found herself immediately colder. "Well good." Natsu's grin turned into a pleased smile. "Anyway, Igneel trained me every day and told me stories about his many awesome journeys. I really loved him. It didn't matter if he wasn't my real father. But then—" Natsu's voice broke. He stared deeply into the fire but didn't lose his dwindling smile. "But then when I was around eight, he disappeared."
"He left you all alone in the woods?" Lucy asked quietly a little unsure whether or not it was okay to go on. Natsu's mouth was a meek straight line now.
"I'm sure it wasn't on purpose. He must've had a good reason. And I'm sure he's still alive. That's why I spent every day after that looking for him." Natsu brightened back up with each word, and Lucy was eased. After a while, that got a bit boring and I ran out of money for food, so I decided to join a guild and continue my search while we went on adventures. I know I'll find him someday and you brought me one step closer Lucy!" Natsu was back to his excitable self already. Lucy marveled his determination.
Lucy turned to face him, her mouth smashed slightly in her arms. "I'm glad I could help." Lucy gave a smile that was mostly hidden behind her arms, although it didn't feel like she did anything. "And I'm sure you'll find your dad someday." Natsu smiled a smile that felt different from his others. This smile was directed only to her. Lucy felt warm all over again.
Gray Fullbuster offered to go next. The nine-teen-year-old described his story with a lot less enthusiasm and instead was laid back about it. Lucy could tell he wasn't one to show his emotions like Natsu. She couldn't really tell what he was feeling.
"Well let's see now. I never really knew my parents. That's kinda a common theme here. But I had a guardian named Ur. Who was as good as a mother as any. She raised me and my brother, Lyon, and sister, Ultear, in the mountains. Ur was murdered by a cult, Avatar, that worshipped in the mountains when trying to protect us. Ultear and Lyon escaped the cult, but I wasn't able to make it and they caught me. They forced me into it and that's where I stayed until I was fourteen. The government caught them at threw them all in jail. They let me go once it was proven I was forced into it." Gray explained dully. Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief.
"A cult? Oh my Earthland. That's terrifying, Gray. I almost can't believe it." Lucy stated. She caught the amused looks on the others faces and the few escaped snickers.
"That's because I made it up." Gray laughed. Lucy glared at him with a cute pout on her lips. The rest of the guild cracked up.
"That's not funny!" Lucy called our pressing her palms angrily into the thin bed pad. "I was truly terrified!" Lucy exasperated. Gray gave an amused smile and rested his chin on his hand.
"No, but seriously, Ur was murdered by a serial killer that called himself Deliora. The three of us were taken to Fiore by the guards that found us and kinda split ways. I haven't seen much of either of them since." Lucy found sadness in his voice now and she knew he wasn't lying. Gray looked off into the distance. "I traveled around solo and did a few solo adventures. Then I met Natsu and joined fairy tail at what, fifteen, I think." Gray stated brushing off his past like it was merely dust. Lucy couldn't hide her frown.
"That's not much better," Lucy muttered out her thoughts. The twenty-year-old woman with long red hair, Erza Scarlet, patted Lucy's back.
"Don't worry, Lucy. It's those things that bring us here today. It's one of the reasons we share them now. It's best not to dwell on the past and look on to the future. We've all made mistakes we regret and bad memories we sometimes wish we didn't experience." Erza preached. In a strange way, it felt like she was talking directly to her. Lucy nodded at the woman's words.
"Why don't you grace us with your bad memories and mistakes next Erza," Gray said slightly sarcastic.
"Alright, I will," Erza exclaimed grandly. "I belonged to a group of criminals from five until thirteen. I made some really close friends there regardless of the circumstances." She smiled fondly before frowning. "I regret leaving them behind. The guild was terrible to us and we always stuck together. But when there was an opportunity to escape they urged me to go. I left them behind and for that, I was a terrible friend to them. I still have no idea if they're even alive." Erza said. She placed her hand behind her head a leaned back.
"There was nothing you could do Erza. I'm sure they know you would've helped them to if you could've. You were only just a kid." Lucy assured though her voice came out smaller than she had intended. Erza smiled.
"Look at you, Lucy. Already being a great friend." Erza grinned. She looked very beautiful when she smiled. "Well, after my escape I was on my own for a bit. I was determined to get stronger to make it up to my friends. I wasn't strong enough then so I vowed to get stronger. Eventually, I joined Fairy Tail that was still just starting out at the time. It's been my home ever since. That brings us to present day."
"Aw, and we love you, Ezra!" Mira exclaimed pleasantly. Everyone nodded fondly, including Lucy.
"You can be hella scary, though," Natsu mumbled. Gray nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I can, and don't forget it." Erza was teasing, but her words were threatening none the less.
Mira and Elfman Strauss offered to go next. Lucy learned the two were siblings. Lucy could see it, though. They had the same white hair and smile. The two said they had a younger sister at one point who they lost during an adventure they did.
"Lisanna, Elfman, and I all lived together since our parents perished in a fire. The three of us, along with our key keeper went on adventures to easier silver rooms. We stopped after Lisanna's death in one. We haven't been in a room since." Mira explained briefly. Lucy suspected any more detail would make the memories come back to strong.
"But we decided that Lisanna would want us to live life to the fullest. And not to give up our dream like we were. So we joined a Fairy Tail. We're gonna honor our sister's name. Like a real man!" Elfman called. Mira nodded a tiny smile playing on her plump pink lips.
"Exactly." Mira agreed. Lucy smiled. She'd always wanted a sibling. She loved the way they stuck together and had each other's back. She could tell they were close. Lucy had always felt pretty alone, even before her mother's death. But now it seemed she wouldn't feel that way any longer.
"Alrighty. My turn. Nothing as impressive as these guys. But at least a little less depressing." The brunette with a flask in her hand stated. "Let's just clear this up now, I'm a bit of an alcoholic. I get enough crap already so don't you start blondie." Lucy raised her arms in defense and giggled.
"I'm not one to judge. Wasn't even gonna mention it." Lucy said truthfully. Cana nodded her head once.
"Great, I like you already," Cana said pleased.
"Don't encourage her," Laxus stated. Cana shot him a look and focused her attention back onto her story.
"My mother died when I was really little, so my dad took me in. I kinda never saw him though cause he was a solo adventurer and they kinda go off and do their own thing. So he often left me home by myself with a random lady he hired to take care of me. I was always trying to find ways to impress my father. So I trained and trained when he was gone. When I was old enough he let me join a guild and I chose this one." Cana recalled.
"Daddy issues turned into drinking issues." Gajeel scoffed. Cana rolled her eyes.
"That's a little mean, Gajeel." Levy implied. Cana shrugged and took a swig from her flask.
"The metal brains can say what he wants. Half of the things that come out of his mouth are shit anyways." Natsu laughed.
"That's true," Laxus stated. "But you really have no room to talk now do you, Dragneel." Gray and Gajeel cracked up at this and the rest snickered along.
Natsu rested his forehead on Lucy's shoulder in defeat. Lucy gave him a look of pity before nudging him off of her. "Alright. Alright. You guys always gang up on me." Natsu groaned, but not minding Lucy prompting him away.
"That's because there's so much wrong with you, droopy eyes." Gray teased.
"It's so easy to make you mad too, hot head." Gajeel snickered in agreement. Natsu ground his teeth. He would've pummeled the two, but he was hoping to make a good impression on the new Key Keeper. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off.
"What about you, Laxus? What's your story." Lucy asked suddenly trying to spare Natsu some ogling. Laxus looked at her. For a second she didn't think he was gonna answer.
"My grandfather raised me. I grew up in a guild called Fairy Tail. That was the first Fairy Tail of which this one is a namesake. My Grandfather ran it and I often went of adventurers with the guild. But my grandfather died and the guild disbanded when I was seventeen. I became a solo adventurer after that." Laxus suddenly wore a scowl on his face. "Until that damn Key Keeper robbed me of all my money. I had no choice but to join a guild. But none of those guilds were nearly good enough, so I created my own and named it Fairy Tail in honor of my grandfather. So far, it's pretty crappy. If these kids don't shape up soon I am going to have to ditch them. Its ruining my image."
"What image," Cana mumbled into her flask. No one seemed to pay any mind to her.
"Come on, Laxus. You love us. No way you'd ditch us." Mira stated.
"Besides. We wouldn't let you." Erza added. Everyone nodded.
"So don't even think about it," Natsu warned.
"What'd you do about it, pinky." Laxus chuckled.
"I'd pummel some sense in you, duh." Natsu spat. "You trying to imply something Laxus?"
"I think that's quite enough guys." Levy Mcgarden said. "It's my turn." Levy was mostly quiet this whole time, waiting patiently for her turn up until this point.
"We'll settle this later." Natsu glared at Laxus. Levy cleared her throat and Natsu shot to attention.
"My mother died at birth and I'm not sure who my father was. I was adopted by a librarian at a very young age. I lived with her in the Royal City were she ran a library. I think I read just about every book there, but my favorites were the ones about brave adventurers. So I pursued that dream and sought out a guild to join. Fairy Tail was lacking some smarts so I was accepted." Levy explained. Lucy couldn't help but feel jealous. She only ever heard about the Royal Library from maids. It was a hundred times bigger than her old library. It sounded like heaven.
"Like the Royal Library? That's amazing! There's one of a kind books there that cost thousands of jewel." Lucy gushed.
"My favorite was Daybreak. The original is at the library." Levy informed. Lucy bounced up and down where she sat. She could see Natsu staring at her curiously from the corner of her eye.
"That's my favorite too! The original! I might die. You have to take me there sometime." Lucy was in tears.
"I don't I seen anyone get this excited about a library before," Natsu stated patted the crying girl's back.
"I totally will take you there, Lucy! It will be lots of fun. " Levy assured the girl, getting rather excited herself. Lucy beamed and ran over to the bluenette. She draped her arms over the short girl and squeezed her.
"Thank you!" Lucy squealed.
"No problem." Levy giggled and grinned happily. Gajeel snorted.
"That's enough of books. I'm about to fall asleep. It's my turn now" He sneered. Lucy walked disappointedly to her spot next to Nastu. "Like Hot Head, I was adopted by a solo adventurer, Metalicana, who disappeared when I was seven. He trained me how to fight before he disappeared, so I was able to join a guild called Phantom Lord. The guild was a bit sketchy I must admit. I learned that it was forcing Key Keepers against their will to open doors for them. They'd do pretty much anything to get a key, even resort to killing and torture. Phantom Lord's still up and running now and still up to the same cruel antics." Gajeel stated. Lucy's neck tingled. She stiffened in fear. Gajeel caught onto her fear. "Don't worry, blondie, they only target Key Keepers with real valuable keys or ones with a lot of keys. But you only have five silver keys, right? So you don't have to worry."
Lucy shivered. She had all the reason to be scared. She had thirteen of the most valuable keys out there. Her name was known by numerous adventurers for that reason. If Phantom Lord was like what Gajeel said then they'd surely be after Lucy. They could very well be the people that forced her from her home.
"Don't worry, Lucy," Natsu assured her. "Your our Key Keeper now so that means no one else can touch you or we'll beat them to a pulp." The statement sent warmth all through Lucy's body.
"Exactly." Erza agreed. Everyone else nodded along. Lucy felt a little better and gave a half forced a smile. An unsettling feeling still lingered in the pit of her stomach.
Everyone turned to the young blue haired girl that had kept quiet the whole time. She smiled a kind smile.
"I guess it's my turn, huh?" Wendy Marvell stated. Lucy noticed that she was very patient and respectful. She really looked up to her older guildmates. She looked like she was struggling to get her words out.
"You don't have to tell me, Wendy. I understand if it's hard to talk about." Lucy told the girl. Wendy shook her head quickly.
"No, it's okay, really. I want to tell you." Wendy replied, but she wore a frown. "I never knew my parents. I was sold into slavery in Bosco. I worked for this cruel rich man until I was eight. I was saved by a woman named, Grandeeney, who was a healer that accompanied solo adventurers. I stayed with her four three years until she died from an illness. I did everything in my power to save her but I wasn't able to. I was found in the woods a year ago by Natsu and was accepted in Fairy Tail."
"You're so brave Wendy," Lucy stated fondly. Wendy blushed a bit. "No, really. It takes a lot to go through something like that. All of you are very brave going through all those things so young."
"It's no big deal. I'm sure you've been through some tough stuff too, Lucy. Even one has rough times." Erza said.
Lucy nodded knowingly but found herself feeling terrible. Her chest ached and her throat squeezed. Weren't they expected some sort of story or explanation back? How could they just trust her? It didn't matter though. She couldn't tell them the truth. They were all genuinely nice and she was lying right to their faces. She was doing it for her safety, which she realizes sounded selfish. Lucy forced herself to swallow her guilt.
The group talked the light away and soon stars filled the dark sky. One by one the guild members fell asleep until only Natsu and Lucy were left sitting side by side. Lucy stared at the twinkling stars, while Natsu gazed into the flickering fire.
"Thank you, Natsu, for saving me. Twice. I really don't know how to return your kindness." Lucy frowned. Natsu laughed making Lucy avert her gaze from the sky to the pink haired male.
"You've already done enough, Luce." Natsu smiled. Lucy felt herself blush at the nickname. She liked it. She liked it a lot.
"It doesn't feel like it," Lucy said softly. Natsu looked at her with another one of his smiles. She could grow very attached to those smiles.
"Well just know that you're the reason Fairy Tail is going to become the best. That means the word to all of us. We can't thank you enough." Natsu's smile was as bright as the stars and as warm as the flames. Lucy never wanted to leave. It was almost enough to let her forget about the home she left and the family she'd abandoned.
It's spring break and I'm happy. :)
Leave a review if you liked if you'd like. Tell me what you think of this chapter so I can improve it some more.
Have a lovely day.
Edited and Refined: 01-29-18
